The Dallas Cowboys will have a different backfield when they take on the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night football. In a move that has seemed inevitable for weeks, Dalvin Cook has been lifted from the practice squad in hopes he will provide a spark to the NFL’s worst rushing attack.

Rico Dowdle was serviceable as Dallas’ leading running back. He thought he would retain that role despite the arrival of Cook. However, that was until about two hours before kick-off.

According to the team, Dowdle became ill upon arriving at Levi’s Stadium. Dowdle was initially listed as questionable while being evaluated by team doctors, but he will be inactive, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media.

There was speculation that Ezekiel Elliott would be a healthy scratch in light of Cook’s promotion from the practice squad. With Dowdle feeling under the weather, the Cowboys have no choice but to dress Elliott.

If not for Dowdle’s last-minute illness, it would have made little sense for Dallas to bring three running backs — plus Hunter Luepke — for the game. Many believed Elliott would have made room for Cook on the active roster.

Elliott’s 10 snaps in Week 6 were his most since the season opener. It came unironically after Zeke expressed his frustration with his role.

Coming off a career game the week before, Dowdle saw just five carries against the Lions. Mike McCarthy admitted that mistake and stated earlier this week that Dowdle should definitely touch the ball more often.

It goes without saying that Dowdle would have been fully involved on Sunday evening. Moreover, Cook was not elevated to riding the bench. If Elliott could only get on the field for 5-10 snaps per game while Cook was on the practice squad, it would have been hard to imagine him playing a role against the 49ers.

In other news, Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland had already been ruled out. Rookie cornerback Caelen Carson will miss his fourth straight game due to a shoulder injury. Cornerback Andrew Booth and offensive tackle Matt Waletzko are the only two healthy scratches.

On the 49ers side, star playmakers Deebo Samuel (illness) and George Kittle (sprain) will both play. They won’t have Christian McCaffrey, Jajuan Jennings or Brandon Aiyuk, but Cowboys fans know better than to overlook San Francisco.

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